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Bayside tubing off a private dock

Hi all. I have a question that I haven't been able to find an answer to. Basically of the 20 years I've been going to OCMD I've never stayed bay side. My group is thinking of getting some tubes to float in the bay off our private dock (we'll be tethered to it) and having a few beers. It sounds like fun and a great idea but is it legal? From what I know alcohol in "public" is illegal everywhere in town. However, floating off a private dock may have different applications of the law.

Hi all. I have a question that I haven't been able to find an answer to. Basically of the 20 years I've been going to OCMD I've never stayed bay side. My group is thinking of getting some tubes to float in the bay off our private dock (we'll be tethered to it) and having a few beers. It sounds like fun and a great idea but is it legal? From what I know alcohol in "public" is illegal everywhere in town. However, floating off a private dock may have different applications of the law.

Can anyone help? Thanks!

My thinking is the farther north you are, the more latitude you'll have with booze on a raft. A friend of mine has a bayside place on 94th and him & his neighbors do stuff like that all the time. But if you're farther south, for instance, around Bahia Marina, there may be more enforcement.

FWIW, we've rented skiffs a lot lately and have never seen any law enforcement patrols, but I wouldn't push my luck too far.

There is an ordinance against drinking in public that you may want to be aware of.

"In Ocean City, we take laws related to alcohol consumption very seriously. Drinking alcoholic beverages in public is prohibited. This includes on any street, avenue, alleyway, sidewalk, beach, parking lot and vehicle in any of these areas. Possessing an open container of any alcoholic beverage in public is not allowed."

I would say, just be careful, don't overdo, and keep the noise down so nobody complains.

There's a new restaurant inside the La Quinta Hotel on 32nd called Rare and Rye. Everyone is talking about it and says it's really good. I haven't had a chance to try it yet. But you'll be across the street from that, from Anthony's takeout for subs, deli food and brews, close to Coins and Fractured Prune too. Good area.

There's a new restaurant inside the La Quinta Hotel on 32nd called Rare and Rye. Everyone is talking about it and says it's really good. I haven't had a chance to try it yet. But you'll be across the street from that, from Anthony's takeout for subs, deli food and brews, close to Coins and Fractured Prune too. Good area.

Anthony's alone makes the location worth it! I'm glad they added a micro brew bar as well. I read about that new place as well. We may have to check it out.

We were able to get a few days in with libations in hand and no issues. Hardest part was getting in the damned tube off the tall dock.

I will say however that when we did it there wasn't any Coast Guard patrol out. We were always lucky in that respect. I guess the "legality" portion is still unknown. Either way, we had a great time doing it.